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US stock futures fall ahead of October jobs report

In this Nov. 3, 2011 photo, trader Gregory Rowe, right, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. World stock markets rose Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, amid relief Greece's prime minister had abandoned a referendum on the country's bailout but gains in Europe were muted ahead of monthly U.S. employment figures. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

NEW YORK (AP) — Stock futures are slightly lower ahead of the government's October jobs report.

Economists expect that employers added a net 100,000 jobs in October. More than twice that number is needed to lower the unemployment rate, which has been stuck at 9.1 percent for the past three months. Employers are reluctant to step up hiring because of uncertainty about the pace of growth and weak consumer demand.

Traders also are waiting for a confidence vote by the Greek parliament. The political drama threatens to hobble efforts by European leaders to contain the debt crisis.

Ninety minutes ahead of the market opening, Dow Jones industrial futures are down 52 points, or 0.4 percent, at 11,924. S&P 500 futures are down 8, or 0.6 percent, at 1,249. Nasdaq 100 futures are down 15, or 0.6 percent, at 2,346.

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